An ambitious plan to redevelop the Daniels Industrial Estate in Stroud has taken a significant step forward.

Gloucester-based developer Newland Homes has now purchased the brownfield site and is poised to begin demolition and groundworks this year.

Last year, the green light was given by Stroud District Council for Newland Homes' plan to transform the brownfield land between Bath Road and Dudbridge Road.

The project will see the creation of 111 low- and zero-carbon homes, of which 88 will be two- and three-bedroomed in terraced, semi-detached and detached configuration. Additionally, 23 one-bedroomed and two-bedroomed apartments will be created, with all units equipped with the latest renewable technology for heat and power.

A spokesperson for Newland Homes said: "Air source heat pumps will heat the houses in lieu of gas boilers and properties will benefit from a significant array of high-performance solar panels to generate electricity."

Buildings have also been orientated to maximise solar gain and will be constructed with high levels of insulation to ensure significant energy savings. Wiring provision for electric car charging points will also be provided, as part of a spec that surpasses existing UK building regulations.

Andrew Billings, Land Director at Newland Homes, said: "Redevelopment has been a long time coming, and we're eager to start regenerating the site to create a desirable collection of design-led, sustainable homes. Our award-winning zero carbon homes are widely recognised as the future for housing and we're pleased to be able to bring these to Stroud."

First identified for redevelopment in 2018, the previous owners of the Daniels Industrial Estate, Industrial Sales Limited, worked with remaining tenants of the leased buildings to help them relocate. Many of the office and industrial units had been unoccupied for several years, making it an ideal redevelopment location. The seven-acre site is sustainably located, less than a mile from Stroud town centre and within easy reach of public transport links, including the town's rail link.

Design details show that a contemporary theme, with architectural references which pay heed to the industrial and metal fabricating history of the site, such as the use of red brick with large window openings, brick detailing around front doors and bespoke metal door canopies.

Ecological enhancements will include hedgehog highways, bird and bat boxes, and areas of tree and wildflower planting to improve opportunities for wildlife. Two new landscaped spaces will be created for recreational use, and tree planting around the perimeter of the site will help ensure privacy for nearby properties, as well as create an attractive road frontage which will further improve biodiversity.

The Fern House Offices, Gate House and the B&Q store will be retained on site, with their associated employment, while an existing site entrance from Dudbridge Road will remain. A second entrance point for cars will also be created on Bath Road.

● Newland Homes is an independent housebuilder and the company began in Cheltenham in 1991, before relocating to Barnwood, on the outskirts of Gloucester. Another of Newland Homes' zero carbon schemes, St George's Mead, in Semington, Wiltshire, has just been recognised in the WhatHouse? Awards 2023 as Best Sustainable Development. These awards are known as the 'Oscars' of the housebuilding industry, and Newland Homes was praised for its robust approach to climate change and its carbon neutral agenda. For further information about Newland Homes, visit www.newlandhomes.co.uk , call 01452 623000, or follow Newland Homes @newlandhomes.